It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 256 | Meeting an Old Friend Again

"General Shang, what are your thoughts on the current battle situation?" the president asked. "Is it possible for us to withstand the enemy's attack on the Potomac River?"

Shang Ke remained silent, instead focusing intently on the map on the table, brainstorming as he looked at the military markings on it.

Marshall pointed to the map and made a circle. "We gathered the defeated army groups nearby and regrouped our troops. We also have some exiled troops from Varland and Marianne."

After saying that, Marshall added: "I have ordered the establishment of a defensive line along the Potomac River. In any case, we must not give up Washington easily. The Huns set an example for us by putting up a heroic resistance against the invaders in Budapest."

By this time, Shang Ke had finished looking at the map and had thought about many things in his mind, and he understood.

“Washington is not as easy to defend as Budapest. The buildings here are sparse and quite low. If you really want to rely on urban warfare for a long-term resistance, New York and Philadelphia are actually viable options,” he said.

Washington, D.C. holds a unique position with a small population, and the American federal government has no intention of developing it into an economic center. As far as the eye can see, it is lush with greenery, and its natural environment is far superior to that of metropolitan areas like New York, which are filled with skyscrapers.

As can be seen from the map, a variety of troops have gathered near Washington, most of them remnants of the 2nd Army, mainly the 4th and 9th Infantry Divisions, as well as the New York National Guard (division level).

Besides the American Army, it's quite interesting that there are also some exiled troops in the vicinity.

After the defeat at Varland, some unwilling generals and politicians decided to continue the resistance and called on the troops to retreat to Marianne to continue the fight.

Later, when Mariana also surrendered, these troops boarded ships and sailed across the ocean to retreat to the American continent with the naval fleet. This was because the American side was very willing to accept officials and exiled troops from both countries and strongly supported the formation of an exiled government.

The logic is simple: by supporting the exiled government now and building good relations and foundations, the newly established Varland and Marianne regimes will naturally be closer to America after the counterattack on Europe and the reconquest of their homeland.

Admittedly, the American leadership had a very shrewd plan, but unfortunately they never expected that they would be forced to relocate their capital and flee.

There are currently four brigade-level combat units of exiled troops near Washington, two each in Varland and Marianna, totaling more than 20,000 people.

After carefully considering his words, Shang Ke succinctly explained:

"Mr. President, Chief of Staff Marshall, the success rate of holding off the enemy along the Potomac River is high, but it is only temporary."

"Ivanos's army is exhausted after a week of intense fighting and has been subjected to your air attack, making resupply extremely difficult."

"In fact, if you are bolder, you could even try to launch a few small-scale counterattacks, which might yield some results."

When he said those words, Shank could clearly see a change in the president's expression, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope.

Shank coughed twice and continued, "However, as I said, this is only temporary, Mr. President. After Philadelphia and New York are lost, the strike range of your shore-based air force will be greatly reduced, making it more difficult to threaten Quebec and Halifax. It will be easier for the British to conduct maritime transport, and there will only be more reinforcements."

From a purely military perspective, he believes that defending Washington is pointless. Important buildings such as the Capitol and the White House are located on the east bank of the Potomac River, while the west bank is currently relatively deserted, and the Pentagon has not yet started construction.

His suggestion was to put up a symbolic resistance, and then quickly get the troops to retreat westward in an organized manner, across the Alabacia Mountains.

Trading space for time!

However, military affairs are ultimately an extension of politics. The president expressed his sincere gratitude for Mr. Shang's suggestion, but the army must do everything in its power to defend Washington. "Brigadier General Shang, I understand your pertinent advice from a military perspective, but unfortunately I cannot agree to a symbolic defense. Washington was quickly captured by the British during the Second War of Independence, and such a disgrace must not be repeated."

The president stated bluntly: "The United States is a nation of immigrants, a land of freedom, a home of the brave. The cowardly act of easily abandoning the capital will deeply disappoint the American people and cause them to lose their sense of identity, with devastating consequences."

Shang Ke made an "uh" sound, smiled, and nodded, saying, "Good luck to you."

From another perspective—for example, from the perspective of Germanic philosophy—a retreat without a fight would directly damage self-confidence and shake people's values.

What's the most appealing combination? A mix of big wins, medium wins, and small losses.

Shank glanced at the defense plan hastily devised by the American Army; it was standard and without any major flaws.

The main commanders were Brigadier General Bradley and Major General Eisenhower, both of whom were decent, at least reliable, especially compared to that MacArthur guy.

Before leaving, Shang Ke casually asked, "I have a question, Mr. President. You've already called the central government. Have you received a definite answer?"

The president hesitated for a moment before replying, “Of course, your president said that reinforcements can set off at any time and will arrive on the West Coast within a week.”

He didn't say anything more, and Shang Ke didn't ask any more questions.

Clearly, the American upper class was unwilling to ask for help, still wanting to rely on its own strength to resist the combined forces of Britain and Ivan Ross, and was unwilling to ask the Great Unified Federation to send troops to help them until the country was on the verge of collapse.

So confident? We'll see. Shang Ke thought to himself.

After leaving the White House, he went to the embassy first, where he enjoyed a delicious meal.

After a hearty meal and a two-and-a-half-hour nap to recharge, he was picked up and driven to the west bank of the Potomac River to inspect the defense line deployment.

He valued and was more interested in the exiled troops from Europe than the easily defeated American army.

No one expected that he would meet an old friend here.

A military tent was pitched along the roadside; this was the temporary base of the 2nd Brigade of the Mariana Exile Forces, where more than a dozen Panhard 201 armored vehicles were neatly parked.

Cecil Morrow and Shank, both dressed in American Army second lieutenant field uniforms, met and exclaimed in unison.

"Why are you here?"

"why you?"

"Huh?" Shang Ke couldn't hide his excitement. He quickly stepped forward, looked her up and down, and praised her with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "I really didn't expect this! What are you doing in America?"

"Shouldn't we be here?" Morel blinked, saying nonchalantly, "I'm not like those politicians and officials. I can't accept admitting defeat to the Ivanros, so I came. And you came too, didn't you?"

(End of this chapter)